I Owned A Video Game Store - Chapter 16 - Story Mode
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ต.ค. 2024
- 🕹 1991 was year in which I become a business owner and operated my own video game store.
🕹 I had so many fond memories and lucky I found some footage of the shop on video tape.
😊 Facebook
/ officallastgamer
📸 Instagram
/ lastgamerofficial
Joel, I love how you have kept so much old video and film that you edit in and share with us. It really makes the stories come to life! Keep up the great content! Much love from your friends in 🇺🇸
I vote for Joel to write a book! I'd buy it!
Andrew Brandt yeah a book would be amazing !
Yeah it'd be great to hear more in-depth in his thoughts on things during this time period.
Fuck the book, I want a Movie!!!
So many people will look at things like, "the world's largest video game collection" and say to themselves, "I wish I had that". You know how you get that? You start your own video game importing shop by the time you're 18. Well, in 1991, at any rate. ;)
Im seriously addicted to your videos Joel , I wish you uploaded more frequently but I understand how busy you are , again I can't stress enough how much you have helped me with the passing of my mother and 2 little nephews from a car accident about 7 months ago , I remember feeling like my life was over and I was on TH-cam and found your channel and right from that point on I sat and watched all your videos over and over cause I just love games and have been playing games since I was 4 and owned every console and have a huge collection and finding your Chanel made me appreciate games and the artwork and the little things of games and now appreciate old graphics and older games now thanks to you ♥️
That is so touching! I can sort of relate to this myself. When my father passed away, I use to watch the videos over and over and be so happy to see his collection and appreciation he has for the videogames. At that time he didn't use to post much and I'm so glad we are getting regular content now.
What fantastic memories, it was a phenomenal time to be involved with video games! That Hi-Tech Greensborough shop was so much hard work setting it up, putting the shelves in, posters, getting the games ready but it was the dream job as I got to play games and talk about games with customers. Places like EB Games are so boring now, they're basically like a supermarket, you go in, buy a game and then leave quickly. You can't even try a game before buying. Eagerly waiting for the next episode!
Dude thats what I've been saying for ages. Where is the action, where is the excitment of going to a games store. I remember the insane sounds coming from different games that where on displays and as u say u could play them or ask to try them out. I do feel lucky though to have lived through the 1980's to see the first proper games shops.
@@unorthdoxcleric6953 We certainly need a revolution with the current game stores. In the store that I worked at and in my own game store (early 90s), we had arcade machines and Superguns setup, we had consoles playing games, magazines that customers could sit down and read, we created a true gaming atmosphere. You just don't get that in retail today.
Agreed. Now there is no excitement anymore. Its like no one cares. Whenever I use to buy a new game, I use to get all tingly all over and use to read the manual so many times till I had almost memorized all of it. Also that time gaming was pure, not now where we get so many shady practices from gaming companies.
Sounds like it was an amazing time. I loved the whole small business owner seen when it came to video tapes, video games and comic books. They were way better than any big box store. Sorry to hear you got broken into. When it's your place it's like you put part of your self out there and you are inviting people into your home.
I grew up in Doncaster as a kid and want to here more about Hi Tech games, please do an episode on Hi Tech games
Unbelievable, being an entrepeneur at 17 yrs.
What a cliffhanger on the end, no have to wait 7 days and 7 nights.
Grtz Robert (from The Netherlands)
I had a shop in 1992 in Horley in the UK it was called N.A.S.A. games ( Nintendo, Atari, Sega, Amiga ) it was such hard work running a small shop, being robbed would of been the worst ever! great episode Joel
Lol you crack me up joel.
Pointblank haha
Im sure you had the ps1 game on your mind.
Pointbreak is one of my favs of all time.
I would love a "Last Gamer Spotify Playlist"!
^ this
Really enjoying these stories mate. Remember all the old video game shops in my town in Scotland when I was young. Those were the days.
Wow loved it. I remember a shop in the UK North London (Wood Green). Called Shekkanna Computers, they had all the imported stuff that you talk about in your vid. I mean at that time in the 1990's you couldn't just go to any old supermarket and get games u had to go to a specialist store. Its where I bought my imported Capcom Street Fighter joystick, no where else could you buy this type of thing. The stuff was hella expensive but they had the best and newest consoles, perphpherals and games in London. It's long gone now but I will always remember that place.
Honestly, I use to shop at Myer in the video game section around the time you worked there. Level 4 from memory. I would always go there with my mum and brothers. We would play the games on display. I seriously think back on it now. I even remember my brother buying New Zealand Story for NES at that Myer.
Hi Joel, really enjoyed your my story vids and your channel in general. Your youth reminded me of my own back here in the UK
It’s nice to see someone actually using TH-cam in the way it was intended instead of begging people to subscribe, like and join their patron.
You put the other big retro you tubers to shame with your content. Its clear to see you are a proper gamer and not just a collector.
The likes of MJR, Dreamcast guy, RT85 and Hancock portray that they are gamers but really only use TH-cam for self gain.
Would love you to do an episode on your favourite shmups and light gun games.
Keep up the good work pal
Joel, you are a hell of a businessman and inspire me in my own. Listening to your story has made me remember that it's NOT THAT HARD! I feel like the longer I've been an adult, the heavier I've made a lot of things and I appreciate you taking me back to that same age when I knew I could do whatever. Thanks brother!
Super interesting Joel! That cliffhanger!!
What a great documentary. Fascinating stuff, and you really manage to capture the era well. As an American who grew up in the late 80's/early 90's, hearing about the Australian experience during that time is awesome
Fantastic story. Really enjoyed the production. I can only image what it would be like arrive at the store to see it all gone. I love the part where you handed back your myer badge. I manage a Harris Scarfe Department store and i can't wait for the day i can hand in my badge. Longest shift i have done in 23hrs straight fixing another store.
Omg cliff hanger😯 the store I was working at got broken into back in the day..heartbreaking.
I also had the honey bee converter with my very first snes in the early 90s to play ntscj-ntsc games!
What a cliffhanger!
Kudos to the video editor the musical ques and back to the future George made me laugh
Another great video
Whoa...what a cliffhanger!! Joel your videos never disappoint.
Love how these stories always end on a cliff hanger.
Great series Joel. You seem like a really genuine dude.
Big respect for you Joel, you definitly started early on the business, and that's always a good thing in life. Sometimes i wish i had your teenage vision of doing stuff early in life, but that's not always possible. Take care man!!!
I love listening to these stories
Thats so sad that you lost all your inventory like that. I hope the next video is about you collecting a huge insurance check and building a better store in a better area... or a mail order store and making bank.
PabstOban agreed. I actually thought he was going to say the police were there.
Great Vid Joel wish we had a shop like this now to buy all our Retro gaming stuff that we have to buy overseas these days
Awesome Video again Joel. If you could only travel back in time and load up some of the stock with booby trapped C4 that goes off when taken half a mile away from the shop. Bastards!
What a ride! Thanks for sharing that story, Joel! Cheers!
The 90’s was such a great time to own a games or computer store : (
Thanks for sharing another story with us Joel, it must have really been something special to own your own videogame store in the Nineties, it was nice seeing where you grew up and where it all happened as well, I can't believe what happened at the end of the video though, that sucks and I've got to hope that there's a happier ending to all this, I guess we'll find out in a week. Watching each episode of Story Mode definitely helps to piece together how you became such a large collector and videogame enthusiast, it's really inspiring to see as well and very enjoyable to watch. Thanks again for all the effort you put into each video. I'll be sure to tune in for the next one, all the best. Sam.
I'm loving your life story Joel. Can't wait to see what you did next.
oh boy, what a cliffhanger. cant wait for the next part. love the series!
Man i wish i was around when gaming was like that!
Cool story, your grandfather is a legend. super awesome for him to believe in you.
Fantastic to hear how you got started
You are an absolute legend. Amazing!
When 12:43 seconds isn't enough and your left wanting more! As always another cracking video Joel, Much love from the UK
It’s all starting to make sense now.
Great video
Noooooooo, we need more. Joel, please, make a "Part 2" of this.
So we'll made , I literally watched it all over again as soon as I finished it!
An awesome video with a sad cliffhanger ending which like always leaves me wanting for more. And like others, have to agree it was bit short. Or maybe it felt short as it was exciting. I'm hoping that down the line you will do another video continuing this topic as this topic of videogame shop hasn't been discussed much before. I wanted to know so much more like is there any gaming stuff still at your grandparent's house? What are some of the things that you still have from that shop? Which games you had most fun importing and selling them? Which console and games were bestsellers at that time which made the most profitable for you? Can't what for the next one!
You’re killing me with your cliff hangers.
Although it was a long time ago now, that really sucks about the store being broken into. Imagine being such a low life that instead of working hard yourself, you steal from other decent hard working people putting everything on the line to make a living. There are some real losers out there. Great work as usual Joel. I wasn't born until 1991 and so it's been fascinating hearing your stories about the history of the business in Australia. Especially now as I am living overseas, it's a real nice reminder of how everything is and was back home. My memories kick in at having played Genesis and Super Nintendo once each, and then growing up in the Gameboy Colour (Pokemon fandom) and PS1/N64 era.
This was so great. I really like when you go to the places you're talking about in these stories!
What a trip! Really enjoyed this
You had your open shop at 17? That's impressive, your grandfather sounds amazing.
You should release a DVD / Blu-ray, of Story Mode, once you've covered the whole series, I'd defo buy it.
Cool Super Castlevania IV music at the end too.
I would have really liked to visit that shop as a kid. There was not many shops for games when I was a kid, if kmart didn't have the game it might as well not exist for me.
Such an awesome series! I call watch 45 minute episodes of this easily!
Wow, crazy what you were doing with your life at the age of 18! I had just started with college at that age, while you were living life and being a true entrepreneur. Really shows where hard work and passion can take you. Looking forward to the next episode after that cliffhanger!
Very inspiring Joel, the level of ambition you seem to have possessed from birth is amazing. I'm 37 and still dont know what I'm doing. lol
Cool story about how ya went from strength to strength quitting ya retail job and starting your own video game import business in the early nineties. Even better was that you were able to undercut the big retailers and their RRP on mega drive. Total cliffhanger to end it on. I know that feeling of getting up in the morning only to find that thieving dogs have helped themselves to something doesn't belong to them. I hope the next part mentions that the shop was insured and that the thieves eventually get caught trying to sell their wares.
OH man, awesome woodgrain radio!
I do love the way you Aussies say sega.
If you have to get up early for work and see a new last gamer video... makes my day epic already
Yes I remember Rob used to get games from your store then sell them to me and a few more mates....we used to go to robs house and play video games all the time....his grandparents were lovely people 🙂🙂🙂🙂
Such a great story but such a shame that you got broken into and robbed.
One of my biggest dreams would be to have a retro video game store that's also got a mini arcade at the back😁
Bravo Storey joe .....bad about the ending ......but your still here thats all that matters ...well done matey
I am a big Nirvana fan as well,also awesome time for movies The Doors and the other ones you showed!Good times man.
Fantastic story Joel ... wish back then we had a shop like that around the Forest Hill/Knox City area... all we had were Video Games Heaven stores which had an ok range but were a blinding ripoff in price... long before EB games
Thanks for the upload. I loved it!!!
Amazing story, i some how remember the name " vision games " maybe i past by it a long long time ago !
That was an awesome story up until the end. It seems like things ended up pretty good though.
Point Break is one of my favorite movies.
Woot! Loving the weekly updates, I was going through last gamer withdrawal when you disappeared after the renovations. Got to get my Fix!
Cliffhanger!!!!! I can't wait for the next episode!
Loved this, you always bloody leave us on cliff hanger you naughty so and so. Great feature these I really enjoy it.
Great Story. I can see this is where we split from having parallel lives. After high school I took CS and went on to work for Acclaim. After having all of my ideas stolen I got out of the games industry and into POS and Surveillance. Which was interesting to say the least however not as interesting as this cliff hanger you've left! I need to know how you got out of that situation. I'm hoping you had insurance.
Damn you've had a lot of luck in your life 😮😮😮
Ha! Pye, we had a black & white Pye TV, next was a Rank Arena 👍
This series is great! I love it
I think Joel has one of the most interesting and exciting life stories I've ever heard.
Man what a riveting story. Holy Cliffhanger ending!
Nice work, Joel. I admire your ambition.
1:34 ‘point blank’
Do I win a tour of the game room for being a snob?
Point break was super cheesy but a cool movie, haven’t caught the remake.
It was an important movie for me. Last one I watched with my friends before moving 1200 miles away rhe next day.
Cheesy? The movie still holds up today! Oh and forget the remake, now THAT'S cheesy
Dammit Joel, what a cliffhanger!
Love your story telling Joel keep it up
Great video Joel, thank you so much, I am sorry for what happened to your store, I want to open a video game store too but I dont know if it is a good idea now because of the digital movement. Maybe a retro game store... Thanks again and have a nice day : D
Fantastic Episode Joel! 😎👍
Ah Joel you gotta give notice! haha
Hye Joel, sorry to hear your shop been robbed. I'm here in Malaysia also owned a game shop. Wish me luck! 😄👍🏻
Awesome video Joel! I always enjoy the intros...it really sets the time and place well.
I love your show joel. I work in the business and I watch every episode and I am inspired each and Everytime. I am also a car man as well. Keep up the great content and thank you for all you hard work.
U opened a store at 17? Damm big props to u
That cliffhanger tho!! Aaaaargh!!
throws me back to 1994... but this is Sooo Coool
What a journeyMAN, waiting for the next part.
Didn't know you were from Melbourne, I live right around the corner from Preston.
To think we have the biggest private arcade in the world right here in Melbourne.
I have been watching your channel for a while and have been waiting for this story time! I'm around the corner in Brunswick so cool to know these places you had the shops.
Make sure you give enough episodes of Story Mode to this part of your life!
Did any of the big box stores ever come knocking on your door when you were killing them on price?
Cheers
Ended with a cliffhanger. So 80's.
Joel with the cliffhangers that rival GoT cliffhangers lmao
Your Grandparents are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
My favourite series on youtube :)
Hello from Russia, great video, good story!!!
Damn it Joel! I need to find out what happens!
I used to live in Thornbury, yeah, back then I'm not surprised your shop was broken into at West Preston. Different now though
at the end what a cliff hang.. cant wait for the next episode :D
dem you live a rock n roll life
Oh no..... what a cliffhanger and a heart breaker